Abstract:

Prediction of growth and nutrient
dynamics of P. australis is critical in
sustainable management of aquatic habitats
and management of wastewater treatment
facilities using reeds. Therefore, a
mathematical model (Reed model) was
developed and validated recently to simulate
the growth and internal nutrient dynamics of
any well-established, mono-specific
freshwater stand of P. australis. The field
study undertaken to investigate the ecology
and best timing strategies of shoot
harvesting, identified the seasonal changes
of the quality of the rhizome reserves as
essential for proper vegetation management.
The simulated results of the present study
showed that at the time of peak standing
stock of minerals, shoots contain 40% and
22.5% of whole plant Nand P, respectively.
Further this showed the use of Phragmites
in waste-water treatment allows removal of
N more easily than P, because higher
percentage of N is bound with the easily
removable shoot parts. Since the model
simulates the seasonal variation of nutrient
contents in different organs, it enables one
to plan the harvesting season of P. australis
to maximize the mineral-nutrient removal
and also to estimate the nutrient amount that
can be removed via harvesting at a specific
time.